Executive Koala (2005) (DVD Review)
Directed By: Minoru Kawasaki
Starring: Lee Ho, Eiichi Kikuchi, Arthur Kuroda, Hironobu Nomura
Rated: R/Region: 0/1:85/Number of disc: 1
Available from Synapse Films
Tamura is an average Japanese salaryman working in the offices of a pickle distribution company. He is well liked in the office, hard-working, polite, wears a suit and tie, and also happens to be a six-foot tall koala bear. But when his girlfriend Yoko turns up dead one day and Tamura is the chief suspect, he is forced to enlist the help of his boss (a white rabbit) and a friendly convenience store attendant (a frog) in order to prove his innocence. A psychological thriller wrapped up in the packaging of a nonsense comedy – with giant animals – EXECUTIVE KOALA is like nothing America has ever produced…which is why it was made in Japan!
This movie takes us to a very strange place. I just don’t know any other way to put it than that. We have a world here where giant animals are walking around running businesses and dating humans. This movie is like some strange trip that I guess once could take under the influence of LSD, I’m not sure. Outside that clear weird factor, the film isn’t at all a bad one. It will be a film that isn’t going to do much for some folks, but overall it is a fun watch and is so out of left field that is makes for an enjoyable time.
Now I do wish the movie had more blood to it. I believe I’d be higher on the film had it had more splatter to it. We do get some blood, but not the amount I was hoping for. We DO get a giant Koala doing hand to hand combat, running a business with a giant rabbit, and buying food from a giant frog. So, I guess it is a give and a take at the end of the day. Still, be sure to check this one out if you enjoy the crazier side of Asian cinema.
– Newly-Translated, Removable English Subtitles
– “Making Of” Featurette
– Theatrical Trailer and TV Spot
